Pros: This application has updated decryption codes, DVD restoration and compression.
Cons: To use the bonus or HD/Blu-ray features you need to make additional downloads.
The Verdict: DVD Cloner 8, with its included CSS decryptor, trumps the competition.
DVD Cloner 8 is the newest version of the best DVD copy software, and it's the winner of our TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award. DVD Cloner is an all-in-one DVD copying powerhouse that works efficiently, effortlessly and (most importantly) effectively. Whether you want to clone a DVD with perfect 1:1 quality, compress a DVD-9 to DVD-5, fit two movies on one DVD or rip a movie to your hard drive, DVD Cloner 8 can do it all. The flexible program lets you do exactly what you want – and it won't take forever to do it.
The DVD copy software is sleek yet straightforward, and the unique user interface is both aesthetic and user-friendly. The 5-step DVD copy process is direct and takes you through the process of making the specific DVD you want. For all the options and flexible controls you can run the software in expert mode, and to be honest it’s not really much harder than the beginner-friendly “express mode.”
Version 8 of DVD Cloner’s DVD copy software keeps the strengths of its predecessors, with a new slightly improved user interface and improved speed. DVD Cloner was already quicker than most DVD copy software, but version 8 steps it up another notch, with the ability to copy a whole DVD movie in about half an hour.
DVD Cloner is an all-inclusive DVD copy suite, including all the key ingredients (and then some):
- DVD ripper software
- DVD burner software
- Blu-ray ripper software
- CSS decryption
- DVD compressor
- IAT (Intelligent Analyzing Technology)
- Transcoding technology
There are a number of practical applications for DVD copy software. While Cloner technically can break CSS encryption, region codes and ARCCOS protection to copy copyrighted DVDs (even decrypting Sony and Disney movies), there are also several practical (read: lawfully permitted) uses as well, including:
- Making copies of your home movies for family and archives
- Burning DVDs of your personal performances for gifts, auditions or promos
- Creating backup copies of movies for travel (or kids)
- Backing up DVDs or Blu-rays on your hard drive
Feature Set:
DVD Cloner works with all types of media, including DVD-9 (dual layer), DVD-5, Blu-Ray and HD DVDs. You can burn a copy on DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW and DVD-RW discs. You can even burn on dual layer DVD-Rs (DVD-9) for a perfect 1:1 copy if you have a dual-layer DVD burner. The DVD copy software also includes Blu-ray ripping tools so you can back up a Blu-ray movie on your computer. If you want to copy DVD movies for playback on your iPod, consider the upgraded DVD Cloner Platinum.
One standout feature of DVD Cloner 8 is the ability to include or remove specific content, which is particularly useful if you want a better quality copy and can part with some of the trailers or special features. Since the most common DVD copy is from a dual-layer DVD-9 to a single-layer DVD-5, the content has to be compressed. DVD Cloner can compress the entire DVD, and does it quite well. But we suggest you ditch some of the extras and copy just the movie for a better quality DVD copy.
Cloner has three general copy modes, one for each type of source material. You can input a DVD movie to copy, burn a movie from your hard drive, or combine multiple movies to burn on a single Blu-ray disc or dual-layer DVD (both require additional hardware). When you input a source disc, DVD Cloner automatically recognizes the disc format and presents you with the specific copy modes, which include:
When the source is over 4.7GB (DVD-9 or Blu-ray*)
- DVD-9 to DVD-5
- DVD-9 to DVD-9 (1:1)
- DVD-9 to 2 DVD-5s (full quality)
- DVD-9 to DVD-5 movie only
When the source is less than 4.7GB (DVD-5):
- DVD-5 to DVD-5 (1:1)
- DVD-5 to DVD-5 movie only
*When you input a Blu-ray or HD DVD you are prompted to download and install additional software to rip Blu-ray discs to your hard drive. You can then burn them to multiple DVDs without losing any quality, or use software like PowerDVD to view them on your computer.
And with any type of disc you can always create a custom copy, which allows you to specify exactly which elements to include or discard. Ditch the opening trailers, special-features and language add-ons, or even remove a particular scene (cheap parental editing hint) if you want, and the full disc space will be used with the highest quality (least compression) possible. You don’t even have to remember which titles are which; you can preview them individually as you choose which to keep and see how each included title affects the space available on the disc and the quality of the preview.
Another advantage of DVD Cloner 8 is the advanced technology it uses. The “Intelligent Analyzing Technology” helps the DVD copy software automatically recognize the format of the disc you put in. The software also automatically chooses the appropriate reader and burner (whether they are separate or the same) and splits up the ripped copy into chapters/scenes/titles just like the original.
DVD Cloner also has sophisticated transcoding technology to optimize the quality of your DVD copy. You can also customize the copy by selecting the screen ratio, enabling auto-playback and deleting any ads or warnings from the original. The software also includes adjustable compression, so you can even adjust the quality for the special features. That way if you still want them on the disc but don’t need the best quality, they will burn faster.
Quality of Copy:
DVD Cloner 8 is a professional DVD copy suite that works like a charm. The program is flexible enough that you can use it precisely as you want, and powerful enough to accommodate advanced functions. But it’s also simple enough for users of any experience level. The step-by-step process works effectively and takes out a lot of the guesswork by automating several tasks. You can adjust settings as desired or simply let the software walk you through the default process.
The DVD copy software works quickly but doesn’t sacrifice quality. While the ripping and burning speeds will vary based on your PC and burner hardware, we found DVD Cloner to run significantly quicker than most of the competition. An estimated time remaining helps you get an idea of how long the current process will take, and you can also gauge the ripping and burning with the progress bar.
You can burn multiple copies of a single disc (batch copy), and you don’t have to rip the movie each time. After you are completely finished making copies of the selected title, you can easily remove (or save) the temporary files.
Application Stability:
DVD Cloner 8 installs quickly and effortlessly. The software is available as a direct download (backup CD available) so you can have it up and running almost immediately. And because the software includes all the decryption codes, you don’t have to hunt down and download other software or codecs to use the software for basic copies. Ripping Blu-ray discs does require an additional download, but it’s simple and effective (not to mention free).
Ease of Use:
Put simply, DVD copy software is worthless if the copies aren’t watchable. DVD Cloner makes great copies. Obviously if you have the right hardware, the 1:1 flawless copies are, as the box suggests, perfect. If you don’t want to lose any quality you can also split the full DVD onto two discs. The more common task is to compress a studio DVD onto one single-layer DVD (DVD-5), which Cloner does well, with little quality loss. We noticed some visible artifacts around lettering (who reads credits anyway?), but for the most part the copies are really good quality. Our suggestion is to use the “Movie Only” option or the “Customization” feature to keep only the essential special features.
Ease of Installation:
DVD Cloner 8 is well designed and well executed DVD copy software. It is compatible with other software, DVD burners and the gamut of DVD disc types. The burnt DVD movies play well on standard DVD players as well as popular gaming systems.
DVD Cloner works with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. Mac users can enjoy the same quality from the special version of DVD Cloner for Mac.
Summary:
DVD Cloner is the overall best DVD copy software, combining all the right features in a very usable interface. Cloner delivers on quality, power and usability. It’s a perfect choice for beginners and advanced users alike because it is solid, fast and reliable (not to mention reasonably priced).
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